WATERFORD’s Sharon Power recorded her first success since June last year when winning the EI110 (Amateur) championship at Kilguilkey House last weekend, on Tullibards Benny And Jess.

Just six competitors appeared before Joan Ahern and Marie Hennessy for Saturday’s dressage phase, where Power established a clear lead on 27.2 penalties. Her nearest rivals at this stage were Jade Mather on Billy Hi Ho (31.8) and Denis Coakley with Shannondale George (32.1), who both picked up penalties show jumping.

On Sunday, Power gave her supporters some anxious moments when failing to beat the clock across the country. However, the four time penalties she amassed weren’t enough to affect her position at the top of the leaderboard and she and Tullibards Benny And Jess claimed the title ahead of the Northern Region’s Nichola Wray and Dylan (aka Springhill Showman), who were the only combination to complete on their dressage score (34.6).

As his name would suggest, the winning seven-year-old was bred in Co Laois by Hans Juergen Kuehnle, but the Tullibards Bennys Legacy bay, who is out of the Concetto mare Cosima, is registered as an Oldenburg gelding. Power, who is now coached by Andrew Williams of Kilkenny International Sporthorses, has been competing him since April 2021 and this was their fourth success.

Toombs cools as Ice

Out of luck at Novice level, the Northern Region secured a fourth title at this year’s Eventing Ireland National Championships when Lucy Toombs and Bluestone Icecompleted on the winning dressage score of 28.8 penalties, where they were awarded by Shota Niikura and Caroline Neville in the EI100 (Amateur) championship.

The first phase had a major influence on the result as eight of the 11 starters completed on their flat work scores with Ciarrai Rice and Lady J (29.2), just beating Charlene Fitzpatrick and A Touch Of Frost (29.4) for second place. Rachael O’Callaghan and Justbecool finished a close-up fourth on 29.7. Two combinations erred in the show jumping ring, one of whom picked up 20 jumping penalties (and two for time) on Sunday.

A 15-year-old ISH gelding by Creevagh Grey Rebel, Bluestone Ice was first produced by Clare Steele and then her husband, Jonny. The grey had competed at CCI4*-S level when, following a lengthy break, Toombs took over the ride in April last year. Since establishing their partnership together, following three educational runs, they have only once finished outside the top six in national competitions and last weekend’s win was their third this season.

Second seasonal success

The same two judges assessed the 14 starters in the EI90 (Amateur) championship where, again, they very nearly decided the eventual outcome as the top eight on the final leaderboard completed on their first phase scores. These were headed by Holly Conte with VHC Howitzer (27.6) who was followed by Johanna Herron riding Twentypark Emperess (28.4).

Four other combinations were on sub-30 scores after dressage but one of these, the very consistent Amy Walsh and Trucking Along (29.3), spoiled their chances of being placed when picking up eight show jumping penalties. The cross-country phase had even less of an influence on the result as only one combination had a problem in jumping.

This was a second success this season for Conte and VHC Howitzer (aka Big Bertha), a seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by WRS Elvis, who recorded their first win together at Crecora (2).

Married to Vincent and living in Co Laois, Conte moved from England to Ireland eight years ago when she took up eventing and she now has two ISH mares on the circuit, VHC Howitzer and the traditionally-bred Superior Jasmin who she also presently competes at EI90 (Amateur) level.

“I’m hoping to upgrade next season,” said the owner/rider who, when she first came to Ireland, started working with multiple champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins.

One of the best horses in her care during her time at Closutton was Penhill who she led up at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival where he won the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle under Paul Townend. She now rides out in the mornings for Stradbally trainer James Fahey.